Dear Editor:
I'm writing to clear up misinformation that has been circulating for the last few years, and has resurfaced again within the last few months, namely via a chain email among constituents across Canada.
It refers to Bill C-428, An Act to Amend the Old Age Security Act (residency requirement), which has garnered a lot of attention, most of it being negative. This is namely because if passed, C-428 would have reduced the residency requirement for entitlement to a monthly Old Age Security pension in Canada from 10 years to three years.
To clarify, this legislation was first introduced in 2009 by former Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla, who was defeated in the 2011 federal election. It was seconded by Bob Rae, who later went on to become interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
I am pleased to say that this bill is no longer before Parliament. As with all legislation introduced prior to the 2011 election, Bill C-428 died when Parliament was dissolved.
I can also assure readers that under no circumstances will I or our government support this legislation should it ever be reintroduced by the opposition.
Canada's pension system needs to strike the right balance between the contributions that individuals make to our economy and the taxpayerfunded benefits they receive in their golden years.
Andrew Saxton
MP North Vancouver
